# Improving Remote Use of Emotion Regulation Techniques in a Psychosocial Intervention For Older Adults With aMCI

> **NIH NIH R01** · WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV · 2020 · $289,108

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The parent collaborative R01 aims to test whether Problem Adaptation Therapy for MCI patients (PATH-MCI),
a novel psychosocial intervention designed to reduce depression in MCI patients, has better cognitive,
functional, and affective outcomes compared to Supportive Therapy for Cognitively Impaired Older Adults (ST-
CI) in older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and major or minor depression.
PATH-MCI aims to reduce depression and disability by improving emotion regulation. To improve emotion
regulation in between sessions, PATH-MCI participants may use WellPATH, a tablet app that helps patients
(care-recipients) utilize emotion regulation techniques between sessions, outside of the clinical setting (i.e., the
office). Virtual tools, such as WellPATH, are particularly significant in the current COVID-19 pandemic when
access to face-to-face office interactions with therapists is limited and symptoms of distress and anxiety are
likely to be exacerbated. In our experiences with the PATH-MCI therapy in the parent grant, we identified
specific changes to WellPATH that may help increase the usability, utilization, and efficacy of the WellPATH
app for MCI patients. This administrative supplement is a novel scientific opportunity to: a) modify and improve
the usability (e.g. user interface, screen navigation) and enhance functionality (e.g., reminders) of the
WellPATH app for MCI patients; and b) refine the app to develop a caregiver version of WellPATH.
The specific aims for the administrative supplement are to: 1) obtain information on the usability of WellPATH
and interface design issues for persons with aMCI; 2) gather data on usefulness of the various system features
and obtain information on additional features that might prove useful for persons with aMCI; 3) obtain
information on the usability of WellPATH and interface design issues for caregivers of persons with aMCI; 4)
gather data on usefulness of the various system features and obtain information on additional features that
might prove useful for caregivers of persons with aMCI; 5) gather preliminary data on the impact of WellPATH
patient and caregiver version on outcomes such as negative emotions, depression, cognition, perceived stress,
technology self-efficacy and proficiency; and 6) conduct analyses to generate estimates of effect sizes for a
larger clinical trial.
Improving remote access to emotion regulation techniques through virtual tools is critical to the effectiveness
and public health significance of a psychosocial intervention. This is especially relevant during the current
COVID-19 pandemic. If found effective, WellPATH will be tested in an adequately powered R01 with the long-
term goal of providing relief to cognitively impaired patients and their caregivers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10153448
- **Project number:** 3R01AG050514-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** WEILL MEDICAL COLL OF CORNELL UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** SARA J CZAJA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $289,108
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10153448

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10153448, Improving Remote Use of Emotion Regulation Techniques in a Psychosocial Intervention For Older Adults With aMCI (3R01AG050514-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10153448. Licensed CC0.

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